ST. LOUIS — St. Louis soccer fans are celebrating the new MLS season at CityPark. Saturday's match ended in a tie against Real Salt Lake, 1-1.
CITY SC is looking to continue to make history in its second season. The professional soccer team played for a roaring home crowd on Feb. 24 with gates opening at 6 p.m. with crowds flooding into the stadium.
One season ticketholder, Rebecca Dunn, and her husband drove three and a half hours from Springfield, Missouri, to come to the much-anticipated game.
"I grew up playing soccer, so I want everyone to play soccer," Dunn said about why she wanted to drive so far to attend.
The Dunns left their five- and almost-two-year-old daughters at home with family because they just haven't taken a liking to this sport yet, favoring dance.
Dunn was delighted to see all the families with their children at the CITY SC Block Party that started 4 p.m. Saturday at CityPark with food, drinks, live music and family-friendly activities.
"I wish that I was a soccer mom because I want to take my kids to soccer games," Dunn said. "I love when parents say, 'Oh, my kids are playing soccer.' I'm like, 'Yes, keep pushing soccer.'"
Someone who definitely is a "soccer dad" is Alex Kerford, who along with his son Anderson, was one of the first people in line for the home opener.
Anderson is already a massive CITY SC fan in his short nine years of life and gave 5 On Your Sideline a poignant analysis of this year's team.
"Honestly, I think (Roman) Bürki saves us a whole lot," Anderson said. "This is my favorite team."
Anderson isn't alone in that regard. Almost 23,000 seats in the stadium were filled with fans ready to potentially watch back-to-back Western Conference regular season crowns.
CITY SC's next game is a rematch against Houston, who CITY beat this week in the Concacaf match. They'll return to play New York City F.C. at CityPark next Saturday.
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